Police in Imo State have rescued a teenage girl from suspected organ harvesters, with one suspect arrested in connection to the shocking crime, intensifying efforts to crack down on human trafficking.
The Imo State Police Command successfully thwarted an attempted human organ trafficking operation by arresting a 38-year-old man linked to the kidnapping of a 19-year-old girl in Owerri.
During a briefing with journalists about the development, ASP Henry Okoye, the command’s public relations officer, announced in a press statement that on October 10, 2024, acting on intelligence reports, law enforcement officers confronted a suspected kidnapping and organ trafficking syndicate in the well-known Douglass area within the state capital.
He mentioned that the operation resulted in the arrest of Justine Emmanuel, a 38-year-old man from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State. Additionally, a 19-year-old young woman was rescued, though her name is being withheld for privacy reasons.
“The arrest came after alert operatives on visibility patrol quickly responded upon seeing the syndicate in a blue and white bus forcibly abducting the young girl. They were taking her to an undisclosed location with plans to kill her and harvest her organs. During the pursuit, she was able to escape from the bus by jumping out and was immediately rescued,” he stated.
The police spokesperson added that officers were involved in a high-speed chase, which resulted in the suspect abandoning the vehicle and leading to one arrest while others fled into the nearby bush.
He disclosed that the command is presently carrying out further investigations to identify more members of the syndicate and evaluate the complete scope of their criminal activities.
He asserted that the successful rescue highlights the State Police Command’s dedication to fighting violent crime and ensuring community safety.
During this moment, ASP Okoye encouraged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities. He assured that further developments would be shared as the investigation progresses.
